franklin



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. O. FRANKLIN.

MAIL BAG No. 319,220. Patented June 2, 1885.

' WITNESSES 1 INVENTOR c wn zzm M ATTORNEYS 2 She.ets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. G. FRANKLIN.

MAIL BAG.

Patented June 2, 1885.

WITNESSES ATTORNEYS add N. mzns. Fhota-Lifluugnphar, Washington, D, c

Ni'rn rA'rns Arena. lFl llClE@ JAMEs o. FRANKLIN, on LENA, ASSIGNOB TO HE RY srovnn, zonrn nousn, AND NORMAN HENDRYX, or PENDLETON, OREGON.

MAIILMBAG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 319,220, dated June 2,1885.

Application filcd October 23, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Limits 0. FRANKLIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lena, in the county of Umatilla and State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bags; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains IO to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a front view of my device. Fig. 2 is also a front viewwith the flap raised. Fig. 3 is a face view of the locking and unlocking mechanism of the device. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, and Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical sectional views,

of the same.

This invention has relation to mail-bag fast enings; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of devices, as hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the body portion of the bag, and B the flap, which, when the body is to be closed, is bent over the mouth of the body portion and fastened by devices hereinafter described. g

G 0 represent a series of plates which are secured to the body portion along the free side of the mouth.

3 5 To the plate 0 is fastened the staple D, and there is also connected to this plate a turning cam or tumbler, E, having a crank-arm, F, which is looped at G, so that when it is turned down the loop will take such a position upon 40 the staple that the hasp of the padlock can be passed through both staple and loop, fasten ing both at one and the same operation.

Connected to the disk or tumbler E are two series of plates, H and I, which are operated by turning the disk or tumbler, and when so operated reciprocate in opposite directions. The inner series of plates, H, are connected by joint-links a, and the outer series of plates, I, by the links 12. Each plate H is formed with akey-hole slot, 0, the enlarged end of which lies toward the tumbler E. The outer plates, I, also have keyhole slots d, the enlarged ends of which are-arranged at the opposite ends, or awayfrom the tumbler E. When the two series of plates H and I are reciproeated in fastening the bag, the enlarged ends of the slots 0 and d move from each other, and the narrow portions of said slots come into action on the catch-studs K of the flap. Then the bag is to be opened, the tumbler is moved to reoip- 6o rocate the two series of plates reversely, bringing the keyhole slots 0 and cl into coincident position, and so that the enlarged portions will come opposite the heads of the catchstuds K, which can be then readily slipped out 6 5 of engagement with said slots 0 and d. The catch-studs K are firmly fastened to the plates L of the flap. Each stud has a shank, e, which may be flattened on two opposite sides, so that it will fit the narrow portions of the key-hole slots 0 and d neatly; but the said shank may be round, if desired, and is provided with a head, 9, which is of proper size to slip easily through the enlarged portions of said key-hole slots, and is at the same time large enough to prevent it from escaping from these slots when in engagement with the narrow portions thereof.

N represents guard and guide plates, which are over the series of plates H and L, and are respectively riveted to the plates 0.

V represents the rear plate of the flap,which is formed with two slots, Z and m, respectively, for the passage of the crank-arm F of the tumbler and the staple D. These two slots lie at right angles to each other.

In the construction of the plates H, guideribs 5 are usually provided, which keep the plates I in proper relative position, so that the two series of plates will reciprocate easily go and without interference.

In order to avoid taking up undue room in the construction of the reciprocating fastening-plates, the hinge portions o of the inner plates, H, are preferably laterally arranged with reference to the hinge portions n of the plates I, which are central, and at the end of tongues 21, which move in the way w between the hinge portions 1:. A compact and strong construction is obtained in this manner, insur- 109 ing positively the relative positions of the two series of, plates at all times.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a mail-bag fastening, the combination of the catch-studs of the flap with the oppositely-reciprocating series of jointed plates H and I, having key-hole slots turned in opposite directions, the tumbler operating said series of plates and having a looped crank-arm, and the staple D, substantially as specified.

2. In a mail-bag fastening, the combination, with the catch-stud, of the oppositely-reciprocating series of jointed plates H and I, having key-hole slots turned in opposite-directions, and means for operating the same, substantially as specified.

.3. In amail-bag fastening, oppositely-reciprooating series of fastening-plates having keyhole slots, in combination with a turning disk or tumbler connected thereto, and a crank-arm of said tumbler having a looped end adapted to fit upon the staple D to receive therewith the hasp of the padlock, substantially as specified.

4.. In a mail-bag fastening, the j ointed plates H, having guides for the jointed plates I, which reciprocate in the opposite direction, substantially as specified.

5. In a mailbag fastening, the jointed plates H, having laterally-arranged hinge portions and a way between the same, in combination with the jointed plate I, having a centrallyarranged hinge portion at the end of a tongue sliding in said way, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. JAMES C. FRANKLIN.

Witnesses:

PHILIP O. MASI, THEO. MUNGEN. 

